Entire home

Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe

Photo gallery for Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe

Outdoor pool
On the beach, sun loungers, beach towels
Outdoor pool
Outdoor dining
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 122800 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Breakfast available
    Breakfast available
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe

The Secret Beach Shell Villa has long been a favorite of the Mayan Riviera and for some good reasons.

Located in a Very Small Safe Gated (Guard 24/7) Residential Community of High-End Villas - no crowds - very private. Close to all the local attractions but tucked away on the Mayan Riviera's Secret Beach (Playa del Secreto) is known as the nicest beach along the Mayan Riviera that our Staff rakes daily. We are also a Turtle Nest Sanctuary. Its nice time to come is during the Turtle season.

See our 5 Star reviews on the Adjacent identical Villa Homeaway listing #303852 which has been on HomeAway VRBO for more than 20 years and has a review from the VRBO Bear (staff of HomeAway stayed at the villa and left a review)

The Secret Beach Villas are actually three luxury Identical Beach-Front villas all 4 or 5 bedrooms each with its own private pool, part of a three-villa building; You can rent one or two or all three villas if you have a bigger group of up to 32 people. See Fish Villa at HomeAway listing #303852 & Boat Villa #4606574

We have been renting our villas since 1997, we have everything you need from an on-site property manager, to extras like Central A/C, Wi-Fi, Office style Phones in each villa with Free Phone Calls anywhere, and Extensions for our services, All Major Streaming Services in English including Local Channels ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, HBO, Starz, Amazon Prime, Acron TV, BritBox, Parmount+, Disney+ YouTube TV (Miami Locals) just like back home in English, so you won't miss the next Survivor or NCSI episodes. You would be hard-pressed to think of amenities that we don’t have in the villas. We have an extensive list of excursions to offer you as well as maps to local shopping and restaurant suggestions.

Unlike many villas in the area, we are ONSITE OWNERS who manage their own vacation home, we are only 300 feet away (by driveway entrance) if you need us.

The owner is a Professional Chef.

We have become an intuition in the area, one of the 1st to offer beachfront villa rentals more than 25+ years ago - 70% of our guests are repeat customers.


We make your Vacation Hassle Free: The 1st thing every guest says when they arrive, is the Villa & Ocean are more beautiful than even the pictures show, with the ocean's edge 30 feet from the back door, you always have a great view of the turquoise water of the Caribbean. We furnished our villas with real living room furniture all imported from Pottery Barn or Macys. In our villas we want you to feel like your home.

We have all the information and assistance to help make planning your vacation hassle free. We have downloadable maps to Costco, Wal-Mart in Playa del Carmen & Cancun and Hospitals. You can go online thru our site and view videos of activities and reserve online, including Golf Tee Times or a Catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres, and Fishing and Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos. Our FAQ have every question you could think of including a Mayan Riviera Swine flu update. We offer a grocery shopping service that will buy all your grocery’s and have them waiting in the villa for you.

Chef Miguel & Welcome Dinner Menu: The villa owner is a professional chef and will cook your food with the 'Sazon y Sentimiento' (Taste and Feeling) of Mexico, for the 'foodies on vacation' you can schedule an afternoon private cooking class with Chef Miguel.

Here is our Welcome dinner we offer arrival night so guest can relax and get their bearings without having to go out to a restaurant to eat. One of the many dinners on our villas food service menu.
The Mexican Welcome dinner - $18 per person
(Served on Sat. evening for arrivals – you may also order this meal anytime)
• Chicken Flautas
• Guacamole
• Pico del Gallo & Chips
• Beef Fajita
• Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas
• Mexican Rice
• Fried Plantain
• Beans
• Flan
• Margaritas.

All meals come with a pitcher of Margaritas or Pina Coladas or Sangria.
Meals run $18 - $35. Not up for dinner, we also offer 'Happy Hour' munchies and we deliver them right to you, so you can snack at the pool. Kids under 5 eat for Free, kids 5 to 11 eat 1/2 price.

Chef Miguel and Private Cooking Class: Chef Miguel will come to your vacation villa and teach you the in and outs of some of the popular Mayan Dishes along with hands on training... be prepared to be involved with the food preparation as Miguel’s Suez Chefs or grab a stool with a margarita or a cerveza and just watch. It’s a fun and festive afternoon preparing a Mayan dinner along with insights to both Mexican/Mayan Ingredients as well as Cultural viewpoints… afternoon of pure Foodie heaven! You don’t have to be a seasoned Chef…or you could be… but either way you learn recipes that you can easy make back at home. After the cooking is done sit down to a memorable Mayan dinner you have just prepared.
You can go to Chef Miguel's website Cancun Chef and learn about his passion for food. Miguel is a real 'Foodie' and loves nothing more than to talk food the villa guest, many of whom are chefs themselves.

Property manager

Liza Piorkowski

Languages

English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4.5 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Outdoor shower
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service
  • Phone
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the marina
  • Near the ocean

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Water park
  • Water sports equipment
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,800 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:30 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 35
Note from host: must book all 3 villas (there is an extra cost)
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the area

Map
Playa del Carmen, QROO

What's nearby

  • Playa Paraiso Golf Course - 5 min drive
  • Cirque du Soleil Boutique at Vidanta Riviera Maya - 6 min drive
  • Paradise Beach - 12 min drive
  • Maroma Beach - 13 min drive
  • Tres Rios Ecopark - 16 min drive

Getting around

  • Cancun Intl. Airport (CUN) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Limon y Sal - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Cena Trattoria By el Faro - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Huama - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Don Miquel - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪El Mar y Tierra - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe located?

Nestled on the beach, this Playa del Secreto villa is within 3 mi (5 km) of Playa Paraiso Golf Course, Paradise Beach, and Nicklaus Design Golf Course. Cirque du Soleil Boutique at Vidanta Riviera Maya is 2.2 mi (3.6 km) away.

Secret Beach Shell Villa - on Beach - Private Pool - Owner is a Chef - Very Safe Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

melissa j.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceptional value
This was a marvelous villa and the beach was a private gem amongst the resorts. The house was perfect for 2 families with elementary school aged children. The pool area is lovely, perfectly maintained and the beach is wonderful. The surf is so fun - big enough to bofy surf but shallow enough to be safe for the littles. We did a number of nearby excursions and felt pampered by daily cleaning lady visits and Chef Miguel dinners - this is a vacation, not a trip. We’ve already recommended to family and friends and look forward to returning. We’re dreaming about a pitcher of spicy margs and plate of guacamole and pico as the sun sets!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandi V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family vacation 2023
The house was perfect for 10 of us. Liza, Miguel and staff were so knowledgeable helpful and accommodating. The food was delicious the pool was perfect and the Ocean view is gorgeous. Highly recommend this property!
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maria L.

Liked: Cleanliness
A week in Paradise!
This was a family trip - my two sons and their wives, my daughter-in-law's parents, and myself. The home is amazing for a group our size - each with own room and en-suite. The home is super clean and well-decorated. Comfort in every room. We enjoyed the pool and beach very much. It's not the super clean white sand like the hotel zone in Cancun, but I felt it was even more beautiful due to its seclusion (away from the craziness of Cancun). Meals prepared by Chef Miguel were excellent and the portions HUGE. The honor bar was a great touch, and we left behind two half bottles of liquor to add to the collection. Kitchen was very well stocked, but if you're going to do much cooking and are particular about your tools, recommend that you pack your own chef's knife! The beds were comfy with nice linens. And the household staff was friendly and did a great job. Both Liza and Miguel were great with the communication, and we were pleased with the prices and service of the airport transfers and car rental. Super happy with our stay and will definitely come again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Vickie R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for our group!
The Shell Villa was perfect for our family! We loved having a Villa to all hang out in and enjoy the private pool and beach area. The seaweed is a bummer but what can you do? The sand is beautiful & soft and the views & sounds of the ocean waves are so relaxing! We took advantage of all of Liza & Miguel’s expertise & recommendations and we booked the airport shuttle, spa services, a private catamaran tour, and had most meals prepared for us. It really is better than an all inclusive resort because of the space and privacy. We also rented a vehicle that Liza helped arrange and it was dropped off and picked up at the Villa. So easy! Definitely recommend getting a vehicle for grocery store trips or going into Puerto Morales for lunch or dinner. The daily housekeeping service was unobtrusive and kept things clean and tidy. They really have a great thing going and we hope we will be able to come back one day. It was a beautiful trip!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bryan J., Terre Haute, Indiana

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property & owner
Chef Miguel and Liza are great! From day 1 the communication and support was perfect. We loved the property and all the close amenities. Definitely recommend doing dinner and breakfast. We will be booking again. Thanks
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Becca S.

Liked: Cleanliness
So nice!!
We have stayed at this VRBO twice and home to come back again. Clean, nice, all amenities we need, beach, private pool!!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Villa, Beach, and Food
Thoroughly impressed with the location, safety, beach, the villa itself, and the food (optional purchase). Would stay again here in a heartbeat!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Leann S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely beautiful hideaway!
The Villa was spotless and maids kept it so throughout our stay. Our Villa was decorated with beautiful shell decor. Our ocean view was amazing - even on cloudy days. Chef Miguel made delicious meals and his helper Anna was a sweetheart. Spa service was exemplary! The weather was cool much of our stay but we enjoyed every minute!! Highly recommend Playa de Secreto!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Monica M., United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Far Better than I could've imagined
It was my 50th Bday Trip - and it did not disappoint. Having a Chef as an owner of the property had so many perks. Communication was easy - and not a lot of pressure, we only had 2 issues- the toilet one was fixed quickly - the other was out of the owners control as a excursion they advertised had been purchased by someone and it wasn't what the original package was advertised as anymore - but our group took it for what it was "An Adventure" and not just sitting around but don't get me wrong sitting around at the villa - we all felt so relaxed, at home, and comfortable. Regrets would be: not taking more pics, ordering more of those awesome breakfasts, ordering more of the Guacamole cause it always went fast and of course scheduling more days at the Villa. I couldn't have asked for better hosts, a better location, or better comforts. I do look forward to returning some day again. This villa is better than any resort I've ever stayed in.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Derek C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful secluded spot
We loved the villa and it felt like we had our own amazing beach!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Week
Outstanding !!! I have stayed at many locations over several decades and I think this is one of the best. The location was perfect for relaxation ( not the party life ) and the food that Chef Miquel fixed was out of this world. Superb !!!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tony M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Location
This is a beautiful location. The owners were excellent in terms of service and help, including excellent meals! Everything about the property is first class. We would love to come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lucy K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best vacation!!
We had five in our group. It was a fantastic time and very relaxing. We will be back!!! We rented a car and had a few day trips. We really enjoyed hanging around the pool and in the ocean.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maria T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome
Very beautiful place, 8 adults in group all had private room with full baths. Clean, maid and pool service every day. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brittany H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay
Shell Villa was perfect for our family to spend time together. Getting around was easy and we had so much fun hanging out by the pool and on the beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Corey W., Chapel HIll, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
Truly one of the most relaxing weeks of my life
We’ve traveled all around the world. And I’ve been to very high end Italian villas. A 500 year old French castle with a moat. Out islands in the Caribbean. The azores. Iceland. This was the most relaxing week of my life. We stayed in the shell villa during covid. It’s a short drive to the airport, which Liza helped me organize.. The villa is lovely, and unlike many of the places I’ve stayed, it feels very much like being in Mexico to me. The tile floors. The arches. The brick barrel vaulted ceilings. It’s all so charming. The pool and outdoor areas were our favorite spots to hang out. We happen to be there when the seaweed was in, but it didn’t detract from our vacation because we could still see and hear the sea, enjoy the breeze and bask in the sun. The highlight for me was Miguel’s amazing meals. We ordered breakfast, a snack and dinner daily. It was delivered beautifully presented and served family style. Our favorite breakfasts were the coconut French toast and the chilequielles. The botanas, guacamole and pick were snack hits and the taco platter was fantastic. The housekeepers came daily and I was spoiled by having our dishes done for us!!!!! If you are considering booking and you want something charming, local and relaxing- don’t wait. You’ve found the place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarina B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Family Rental
We had a family of 10 to include baby, teens and adults. Lots of room for all and loved the convenience of being able to have meals made on-site and delivered. By the way, everything we ordered was great! Loved having our own pool and great beach access!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Josh B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ideal Family Retreat
Liza and Miguel are superb hosts when you visit the Secret Beach Villas. My family of 10 stayed in Shell Villa for 6 nights. The home is perfectly appointed and has plenty of room for everyone. The pool is pristine and allows for ample family time before or after activities. What truly made our stay easy, relaxing and memorable was the food! Chef Miguel creates an ideal family spread with delicious food with plenty of extra for leftovers. Anna was particularly friendly and we looked forward to her delivery of our evening meals. The beach is lovely, private and uncrowded. The seaweed is back in force. There's nothing anyone can do about the seaweed and it in no way affected the enjoyment of the Villa. As I relayed to Liza "we made Margaritas out of lemons". We hope to return!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cameron P.

Liked: Cleanliness
3rd time
We love it here
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Matthew K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Shell Villa
This place was great. We had 2 large families, a total of 10 people enjoy the Shell Villa. The private pool was clean and allowed for breaks from playing in the ocean which is just steps away! The view from the 2nd floor ocean side was delightful. Felt completely safe with the guarded road access along with villa private gate. They owner excelled at making you trip amazing with great meals and local recommendations. I think we may make this our go to VRBO in this area. Thank you Miguel and Liza!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristi F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
We had a very relaxing Christmas week at the shell villa for 2 families; party of 10. It was so nice to have Miguel & Liza close by to help set up transportation & activities which made it not only convenient but very safe. There’s a guarded gate @ main entrance & a gate to the 3 Villas. Miguel & Liza always came out to speak to anyone picking us up. Having our own beach right out the back door & sleeping to the sound of the waves was amazing. Book a vacay here & order as many meals as you can from Miguel. We are foodies & all the meals we had were 5 star. We ran out of days but had so many more dishes we were dying to try. The accommodations aren’t fancy but very comfortable & nice. The location, set up, meals, & daily housekeeping made for a very relaxing, fun, pampered vacation. We plan on returning! Thank you so much Miguel & Liza for a much needed vacation. We hope to see y’all again soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Liz M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Home away from home
I could not be more pleased with our experience. This property is amazing, the location is 20 minutes from the airport and right on the beautiful Playa Secreto beach. The property owners live on premises and they pay attention to every detail. Very attentive, friendly, courteous and thoughtful. The house is spotless and has everything you may need to make this your home away from home. Our group had kids doing online school and adults in zoom conferences, the wi-fi was excellent. Miguel’s cooking was a real treat, the dessers are to die for. Cleaning crew everyday keep the place spotless, clean beach towels, pool right in the back yard plus the ocean. The location is very safe and exclusive. Our group has decided we are making this a yearly tradition and we can’t wait.

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic time at Shell Villa
I just spent a wonderful week with seven family members at the Shell Villa! Everything was so easy and comfortable and beautiful. We all were relaxed and had the best time just walking the beach, relaxing by the pool and enjoying the wonderful meals prepared by Beto and Migual. Liza answers all your questions and helps you with all information you need before you get there. They are easy to contact with any issues. The location is great for exploring a lot of the Riveria Maya. We enjoyed the villa so much that we did not leave too often! We all felt very safe at the villa at all times. There is security coming into the beach area and the villa itself has a locked gate that you go in and out of. Never did we feel unprotected. The food was amazing and we ordered almost all of our dinners, except for one when we ate the leftovers. Portions were big and very delicious. I highly recommend this villa! We felt very taken care of and we definitely want to come back to this beautiful piece of paradise!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Katherine M., Calgary

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay
7 of us stayed here and we all had an amazing time. Communication with Miguel and Liza was great. Anyone staying here should definitely order a few meals from their amazing chef. Beach was beautiful.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Carmen J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay
Everything in more that was promised was provided. My family and I had such an amazing time we definitely need to come back. The house was amazing all of the staff was fabulous. The beach was gorgeous. We did a lot of the meals and every single one of them was amazing. Liza and Miguel and Beto took great care of us. Even helped and very caring when one of us was ill (me ugh). We all recommend this place. We had the comfort of our home but had help with the cleaning and the meals like a full-service vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2019